The Kurds started pumping oil into Turkey and did (2008) have a pretty solid economy independent from Iraq. I know that burns Maliki - and with pressure from Sunni Al Qaeda ops in the Central area — he’s fighting a 2 front civil war...
I’m sure if Maliki (Shia version of Saddam) and his supporters (Iran) can - they attempt to send in infiltration to disrupt and delay any progress in this area - but the Kurds are smart and have (from what I’ve seen) been able to deflect these acts of aggression...it’s a really interesting play of forces at the moment - but neither side as any amount of resources to overwhelm the other at the moment — so it will remain unstable...and I think the region is used to that - so it’s the norm so to speak!
Thanks. I’ve been pulling for the Kurds all along and was very impressed with the progress they have made in that somewhat autonomous region after all the abuse they had over the years.
They could also be a very good ally in the region for the US. Though who knows with the current idiot in the White House.